A straight Christian couple have been criticised by gay rights groups after appealing a fostering ban implemented for their views on homosexuality.
Derby City Council banned Eunice and Owen Johns after their views against homosexuality were made clear, and their appeal has sparked criticism from Stonewall, which has described the couple’s views as being “in the 19th century”.
The council believes such views could mean children in their care would grow up believing homosexuality to be unacceptable — which contravenes equality laws introduced by the Labour government.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill argued: “Too often in fostering cases nowadays it’s forgotten that it is the interests of a child, and not the prejudices of a parent, that matter.
“On the evidence available to us, Derby City Council have clearly made a sensible decision. Many Christian parents of gay children will be shocked at Mr. and Mrs. Johns’ views which are more redolent of the 19th century than the 21st.”
Christian groups, however, feel aggrieved that equality legislation is being given precedent over long-standing religions beliefs, and that the Johns are suitable foster parents.
Andrea Minichiello-Williams, barrister and director of the Christian Legal Centre, told The Daily Telegraph: “The Johns are a loving Christian couple, who have in the past, and would in the future, give a wonderful home to a vulnerable child.
“Research clearly establishes that children flourish best in a family with both a mother and father in a committed relationship, like the Johns have.
“One of the issues before the Court is whether Christian couples, who have traditional views on sexual ethics, are ‘fit and proper persons’ to foster — and, by implication, adopt.
“That the Court even needs to consider this is a remarkable reversal in the concept of the public good and the traditional definition of sexual morality.”
The couple, who have in the past fostered 20 children, applied to become foster parents in 2007, but their application was withdrawn after a social worker discovered their views on homosexuality. Another application was filed in 2008 after an appeal, and a judicial review of the case takes place from Monday.
